Name: Aiden Michael Graham
Age: 22
Hometown: Cambridge, England
Great Britain is the best country in the world and I am proud to give my service. I am the third oldest child in my family. The family consists of my mother, two brothers and three sisters. Here is my family when I was 8 years old. family photo This picture was taken and then mailed to my father while he was away working in Southampton, England. He was killed in a tragic train accident on his way home.
Week 1 - December 8
As people read my journal, they may wonder why Britain became involved in World War I. Britain got involved in World War I because Germany and Britain had a conflict with militarism. Militarism is the glorification of the military when countries want to expand their armies and navies. Both Britain and Germany competed for the strongest navy. Britain had built the world's most respected navy to protect its overseas empires. Germany began getting overseas colonies, then they began to build their navy. Britain began in turn to increase its naval spending. Britain thought that both countries were going to fight so Britain joined the side of the Allies, France and Russia.
NEWSFLASH - June 28, 1914 The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife both of Austria-Hungary was not a complete surprise. They were going to visit the city of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Bosnia was under the rule of Austria-Hungary but the nationalists, the Serbs and Slavs viewed the Austrians as foreign oppressors. The visit from the Archduke made many Serbian nationalists mad. A Serbian terrorist group commonly known as the Black Hand wanted to kill the Archduke. As a result of the visit, a bomb was thrown by a member of the Black Hand at the Archduke's open car but the bomb did not kill them. Then Gavrillo Principla fired twice and killed both the Archduke and his wife. This lead to Austria declared war on Serbia, Germany told Austria-Hungary that they would back them, Serbia asked Russia to help them, Russia asked France to come to their aid, Britain came to the aid of France and Russia, and Italy later came to the aid of German. This is the main cause of World War I and that is why I am here, fighting in the trenches. Archduke Francis Ferdinand & Wife
My Journal ~ December 9: Today was a cold, wet, and muddy day in the trenches. Temperatures were below normal and it was very windy. We have not had anything to eat today because we are busy protecting our country. Some of our troop members are sick or injured, so we need all the help we can get fighting in the trenches.
My Journal~ December 12: A lot has happen since my last journal entry. Five troop members have died. We need more members, but no one wants to join us in the war. Since it is so cold and wet in the trenches, it is easy to catch pneumonia and influenza. We have been lucky not losing anyone by war casualties. Week 2 - December 15
Britain's battle plan is to help France and Russia in the war and to beat Germany. We are going to do everything we can to win this horrible war. The Schlieffen Plan did not work as the Germans hoped it would. Germany wanted to beat Russia, so they went through Belguim, who was neutral, which made us British people mad. So we came down to help Belguim and France because the Germans were going to France next. The Germans thought the Russians would be slow to set up their army, but they thought wrong. So when Germany got to Russia, they were too late. Some of us are going to be stationed in trenches using rifles and others are stationed on land, either using machine guns or tanks. I have been involved in the war for almost two years. I am stationed in the trenches and use a bolt-action rifle. The rifle can fire 15 rounds in one minute and has the power to kill 1,400 meters away. My friends and me in the trenches. My officers estimate the war to end within the next year and I can not wait to get home to my family. I don't mind being stationed in the trenches. It is not as bad as some people say it is. Really the only reasons why the trenches are not safe is because people can sneak up on us and kill us and since it is really cold down there, we can get sick and die. Watch the video below to see my troop and me in the trenches.
My Journal~ December 20: All of our troop is getting homesick since it is less than one week until Christmas. Food is scarce because the last snow fall, we received about ten inches and the weather makes it hard for us to receive food and supplies.
Our newest propaganda poster is trying to recruit soldiers. Demonization or blaming the enemy for terrorizing our women and children must come to an end. This poster also demonstrates emotional symbols by showing children. Britain is hoping this new poster will gain the attention of new recruits. We need many more men to help us win this war.
Russia's exit put a lot of pressure on us. Germany wanted Russia out of the war because they were facing a two-faced war. They were fighting Russia on one side and France and us on the other. V.I. Lenon took charge and he told everyone that they were going to get rid of the Russian troops so he and Germany signed a treaty called the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The treaty made the Russian troops leave World War I. That means we have to fight really hard to win the war because Germany does not have to fight Russia anymore and we also lost Russia since they were fighting on our side. The United States of America entered the war because the Germans sunk one of our British liners called the Lusitania, which carried 1200 people, and 128 of them were from America and they got killed. About 2 million U.S soliders were sent to Europe to help the allies, which that was us, France,and Russia. We were happy that they joined, but it still puts a lot of pressure on us.
Week 3-Christmas
My Journal~ December 24: Today we got packages from home and that made us miss our home and family even more. We did not get to open them because it was a tough day of fighting and I am tired. I will write more tomorrow.
My Journal~ December 25: We finally got to open our packages and we got geese, potatoes, and a few pieces of candy for each of us. The men and I were excited to roast our geese. Some troop members and me roasting our geese It was a wonderful meal since we did not have to eat out of a can. This is the first hot meal we have had in months. Everybody was in a better mood and were smiling because they were excited to hear from home, eat a good meal, and there was no fighting today.
Week 4- January 5
We figured Germany was going to get blamed, but we were still surprised about everything that was mentioned in the Treaty of Versailles. The Allies, Britain, Russia, and France, made the treaty and force the Germans to sign it. They had no choice whether they wanted to sign it or not. They were getting blamed for everything and this scared the German delegates. The treaty made Germany a lot weaker. France got Lorraine and Alsace back and Germany lost their overseas colonies.
My Journal~January 7: I am so sick and tired of this war. I wish we would agree so we can quit fighting and go home. I can not wait to go home. I miss my family.
My Journal~ February 14: I can go home today. I am so excited. I can not wait to see everybody. The war is still going on, but we do not think it will last much longer. I feel sorry for the guys who have to stay and fight in this horrible war.
My Journal~February 20: I have been home for about a week now and it feels so good. I am glad I am home, safe, and healthy. Fighting in the war was a cool but scary experience. I hope I do not have to go back, but if I do, I will proudly go back to serve our wonderful country, Britain.
Aiden Graham - British Soldier
Name: Aiden Michael Graham
Age: 22
Hometown: Cambridge, England
Great Britain is the best country in the world and I am proud to give my service. I am the third oldest child in my family. The family consists of my mother, two brothers and three sisters. Here is my family when I was 8 years old. family photo This picture was taken and then mailed to my father while he was away working in Southampton, England. He was killed in a tragic train accident on his way home.
Week 1 - December 8
As people read my journal, they may wonder why Britain became involved in World War I. Britain got involved in World War I because Germany and Britain had a conflict with militarism. Militarism is the glorification of the military when countries want to expand their armies and navies. Both Britain and Germany competed for the strongest navy. Britain had built the world's most respected navy to protect its overseas empires. Germany began getting overseas colonies, then they began to build their navy. Britain began in turn to increase its naval spending. Britain thought that both countries were going to fight so Britain joined the side of the Allies, France and Russia.
NEWSFLASH - June 28, 1914 The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife both of Austria-Hungary was not a complete surprise. They were going to visit the city of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Bosnia was under the rule of Austria-Hungary but the nationalists, the Serbs and Slavs viewed the Austrians as foreign oppressors. The visit from the Archduke made many Serbian nationalists mad. A Serbian terrorist group commonly known as the Black Hand wanted to kill the Archduke. As a result of the visit, a bomb was thrown by a member of the Black Hand at the Archduke's open car but the bomb did not kill them. Then Gavrillo Principla fired twice and killed both the Archduke and his wife. This lead to Austria declared war on Serbia, Germany told Austria-Hungary that they would back them, Serbia asked Russia to help them, Russia asked France to come to their aid, Britain came to the aid of France and Russia, and Italy later came to the aid of German. This is the main cause of World War I and that is why I am here, fighting in the trenches. Archduke Francis Ferdinand & Wife
My Journal ~ December 9: Today was a cold, wet, and muddy day in the trenches. Temperatures were below normal and it was very windy. We have not had anything to eat today because we are busy protecting our country. Some of our troop members are sick or injured, so we need all the help we can get fighting in the trenches.
My Journal~ December 12: A lot has happen since my last journal entry. Five troop members have died. We need more members, but no one wants to join us in the war. Since it is so cold and wet in the trenches, it is easy to catch pneumonia and influenza. We have been lucky not losing anyone by war casualties.
Week 2 - December 15
Britain's battle plan is to help France and Russia in the war and to beat Germany. We are going to do everything we can to win this horrible war. The Schlieffen Plan did not work as the Germans hoped it would. Germany wanted to beat Russia, so they went through Belguim, who was neutral, which made us British people mad. So we came down to help Belguim and France because the Germans were going to France next. The Germans thought the Russians would be slow to set up their army, but they thought wrong. So when Germany got to Russia, they were too late. Some of us are going to be stationed in trenches using rifles and others are stationed on land, either using machine guns or tanks. I have been involved in the war for almost two years. I am stationed in the trenches and use a bolt-action rifle. The rifle can fire 15 rounds in one minute and has the power to kill 1,400 meters away. My friends and me in the trenches. My officers estimate the war to end within the next year and I can not wait to get home to my family. I don't mind being stationed in the trenches. It is not as bad as some people say it is. Really the only reasons why the trenches are not safe is because people can sneak up on us and kill us and since it is really cold down there, we can get sick and die. Watch the video below to see my troop and me in the trenches.
My Journal~ December 20: All of our troop is getting homesick since it is less than one week until Christmas. Food is scarce because the last snow fall, we received about ten inches and the weather makes it hard for us to receive food and supplies.
Russia's exit put a lot of pressure on us. Germany wanted Russia out of the war because they were facing a two-faced war. They were fighting Russia on one side and France and us on the other. V.I. Lenon took charge and he told everyone that they were going to get rid of the Russian troops so he and Germany signed a treaty called the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The treaty made the Russian troops leave World War I. That means we have to fight really hard to win the war because Germany does not have to fight Russia anymore and we also lost Russia since they were fighting on our side. The United States of America entered the war because the Germans sunk one of our British liners called the Lusitania, which carried 1200 people, and 128 of them were from America and they got killed. About 2 million U.S soliders were sent to Europe to help the allies, which that was us, France,and Russia. We were happy that they joined, but it still puts a lot of pressure on us.
Week 3-Christmas
My Journal~ December 24: Today we got packages from home and that made us miss our home and family even more. We did not get to open them because it was a tough day of fighting and I am tired. I will write more tomorrow.
My Journal~ December 25: We finally got to open our packages and we got geese, potatoes, and a few pieces of candy for each of us. The men and I were excited to roast our geese. Some troop members and me roasting our geese It was a wonderful meal since we did not have to eat out of a can. This is the first hot meal we have had in months. Everybody was in a better mood and were smiling because they were excited to hear from home, eat a good meal, and there was no fighting today.
Week 4- January 5
We figured Germany was going to get blamed, but we were still surprised about everything that was mentioned in the Treaty of Versailles. The Allies, Britain, Russia, and France, made the treaty and force the Germans to sign it. They had no choice whether they wanted to sign it or not. They were getting blamed for everything and this scared the German delegates. The treaty made Germany a lot weaker. France got Lorraine and Alsace back and Germany lost their overseas colonies.
My Journal~January 7: I am so sick and tired of this war. I wish we would agree so we can quit fighting and go home. I can not wait to go home. I miss my family.
My Journal~ February 14: I can go home today. I am so excited. I can not wait to see everybody. The war is still going on, but we do not think it will last much longer. I feel sorry for the guys who have to stay and fight in this horrible war.
My Journal~February 20: I have been home for about a week now and it feels so good. I am glad I am home, safe, and healthy. Fighting in the war was a cool but scary experience. I hope I do not have to go back, but if I do, I will proudly go back to serve our wonderful country, Britain.
British WWI Poems & Songs